Patriots Point Development Authority names new executive director

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The Patriots Point Development Authority board recently selected a new leader for the agency.

The board unanimously selected Allison Hunt to serve as the state agency’s executive director, according to a news release from the board. She will begin on March 1. 

Hunt currently serves as the executive director for the USS Yorktown Foundation, which supports exhibits, scholarships and programs at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, according to the release. In Hunt’s five years with the Foundation, she has helped raise funds for projects and programs at Patriots Point and served on the museum’s leadership team.

“Having been associated with Patriots Point for a number of years, Allison has a deep understanding of our mission, our museum and our real estate component,” said PPDA Board Vice Chairman Wayne Adams in the release. “In her role with the Yorktown Foundation, she was intimately involved with enhancing our programs — from education to exhibits, maintenance and more. Her experience in public and private sectors is perfect for the wide-ranging responsibilities of our executive director and communicating with our diverse audiences. Best of all, she’ll be able to hit the ground running with very little transition time.”

Throughout her career, Hunt has served as executive director in several philanthropic organizations and held leadership roles in public/private partnerships and business development organizations in North and South Carolina, according to the release.

Hunt holds master’s degrees from the University of Georgia and Bristol University, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia. She has served on boards and committees of more than a dozen organizations throughout her career. In 2020, Hunt was selected for the Joint Base Charleston Honorary Commander Program.

The Patriots Point Development Authority was established in the 1970s to develop a naval & maritime museum on Charleston Harbor with the World War II aircraft carrier, USS YORKTOWN as its centerpiece. It’s also home to the Patriots Point Museum and a fleet of National Historic Landmark ships, the Cold War Memorial and the only Vietnam Experience Exhibit in the U.S., the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, and the agency's official Medal of Honor Museum.